Many of the coastal belt villages of Southern India are severely impacted by salinity caused due to influx of oceanic salt water into the water table of coastal line caused due to drying up of river beds and increased human activity.

A pilot project of drilling 700 feet deep bore-well was taken up by Water Literacy Foundation, sponsored by DP-World in its CSR initiative at Kondakarai village of Tamilnadu. Abundant potable water aquifers present at higher depths below the rocky bed were challenged by seepage of saline water from the upper layers of the soil. Four attempts with various techniques to get the potable water without getting intermixed with salinity did not succeed. However, the 5th attempt with an improvised technique of protecting the saline water was greatly successful. Method of double casing with 10 inch GI and 7 inch PVC pipe was implemented. 10 inch Galvanised Iron (GI) pipe of 500 feet to protect from saline water present from 6 feet to 310 feet was done as first level prevention to obstruct saline water entry. Further drilling done till 700 feet cutting through rock bed to reach water source. Additional 7 inch PVC casing was done till 700 feet.

Abundant potable water is available now for the village of Kondakarai and which can also serve 4 neighbouring villages. The villagers who depended on tanker to fetch water from far of distances are very happy now. Water Literacy Foundation whole-heartedly thanks Dubai Ports World, Chennai for its support in this project to quench thirst of Kondakarai and neighbouring villages.

We would like to let all the salinity affected rural areas to know about this solution and not get disheartened. You may reach out to Water Literacy Foundation for solution.